slgwv's photos with the keyword: elevator

Well, yes. Not many cities have a municipal elevator! It's the only one in the U.S., in fact. Oregon City now is part of the Portland metropolitan area, but actually was founded beforehand. It's just below Willamette Falls on the eponymous river, and in the early days was a something of an entrepot to the Willamette Valley because the falls were a barrier to navigation. The elevator connects the narrow floodplain along the river with the area above the bluff. The top looks like a flying saucer because of viewing galleries, and the elevator also exits to a walkway, the Promenade, along the top of the bluff. Unfortunately, the view now consists mostly of blighted industrial area, dating from when the river was an important transportation artery after construction of the locks bypassing the falls. There's also a hydropower installation that's still operating. There are apparently plans to redevelop the area along the river as high-quality public waterfront space, but that hasn't yet happened. I've put some views from above in the insets. Thanks to Don Barrett for telling me about this structure! I'd driven past on I-205 many times without knowing it was there.